SDA Sabbath School Lessons
Monday October 14, 1996

At the heart of God's covenant is His desire to restore His relationship
with humanity. Sin has separated us from God. But God's covenant
provides a way to bridge that gulf. The covenant removes sin and brings
into our hearts the everlasting righteousness of Christ
(1
John 3:5;
Rom.
3:21, 22). And the method of doing so was revealed in the sanctuary
(Ps.
77:13).

Give two reasons why God asked the Israelites, His church in the wilderness,
to build the sanctuary.
Exod.
25:8;
29:43-46.

Hebrews
8and
9 explain in detail that God's purpose in establishing the sanctuary
was to reveal the plan of salvation, with a special emphasis on the atoning
sacrifices of Christ as the means of pardon, purification, and reunion with
God. The sanctuary was the ordained center of worship and spiritual instruction.
But the Israelites were not to idolize it. The Lord wished to
dwell among and in His people. Their hearts were
to be His sanctuary, the living repository of His covenant
(Lev.
26:11, 12;
2
Cor. 6:16-18;
Heb.
10:14-17).

Describe how the Israelites responded to the call for materials and help
in building the wilderness sanctuary.
Exod.
35:4-10, 20-29;
36:5, 6.

"The murmurings of the Israelites and the visitations of God's judgments
because of their sins are recorded as a warning to aftergenerations. And
their devotion, their zeal and liberality, are an example worthy of imitation.
All who love the worship of God and prize the blessings of His sacred
presence will manifest th same spirit of sacrifice in preparing a house where
He may meet with them. They will desire to bring to the Lord an offering
of the very best that they possess. A house built for God should not
be left in debt, for He is thereby dishonored. An amount sufficient
to accomplish the work should be freely given, that the workmen may be able
to say, as did the builders of the tabernacle, 'Bring no more
offerings.'"--Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 344.